PICNIC: Another great family event

On Sunday, July 16, the annual Morpeth Picnic in the Park was held in our beautiful Carlisle Park.

This event is organised by the Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT).

It was supported by Northumberland County Council, Morpeth Town Council, Morpeth Tennis Club, Morpeth Bowls Club, and a new sponsor this year, Coca Cola’s Smart Water Division, which is based at Coopies Lane in Morpeth.

We wish to say a big thank you to the people of Morpeth for helping to make the 2017 Picnic in the Park the most successful ever.

It was great to see so many families enjoying their picnics on a glorious sunny day in the park.

This year the picnic was officially opened by Morpeth Deputy Mayor and Mayoress Jack Gebhard and Rachael Hogg.

Jack welcomed all the people to the event, which has been running annually for more than ten years.

Alex Swailes kept everyone informed of the day’s events and kept us all entertained with his Northumbrian tales.

It is estimated that in the hours from noon to 4pm approximately 2,500 to 3,000 people passed through the park.

They enjoyed a variety of events, from the magician, face-painting and Medieval tile-making to country singer Andy Whittle, Jo Jingles, Art Project, the Army Cadets’ climbing wall, magic and circus acts by Nat Lunatrick and friends, and much more.

We once again had the free barbecue thanks to Morpeth Churches Together, operated by Mike Willis and his New Life Christian Centre and members of Morpeth Baptist Church.

All this would not be possible without the support of our many volunteers, who contributed manpower, gazebos, tables and chairs.

Special mention must be made of John, Mark and Frances of Carlisle Park, the Morpeth Army Cadets, who helped throughout the day, and Karen Tweddle, our administration officer at the Greater Morpeth Development Trust, who co-ordinated all the various activities of this year’s picnic.

Also thanks to Coca Cola’s Smart Water division, which donated free water for the day.

It was another fantastic day in our beautiful Carlisle Park, one I know all who attended thoroughly enjoyed.

We will be planning the 2018 picnic soon, which will be held on Sunday, July 15, 2018.